Coronial inquest finds former partner responsible for 2019 shooting death of Ivona Jovanovic on Gold Coast
A coroner has determined a Gold Coast woman's former partner was responsible for her death, after he accidentally shot her at his home six years ago.
Ivona Jovanovic was wounded in the chest at the Highland Park home of Christos Panagakos in September 2019 and later died from her injuries in hospital.
The 27-year-old's death was the subject of a coronial inquest held last year which probed the circumstances of the evening in question.
In November, the Coroners Court heard Ms Jovanovic was about to head out for dinner with Mr Panagakos, who she had previously dated, and some of his friends.
Shortly after she was shot, the court heard all of the men left the home and the weapon was also removed.
It has never been discovered.
In 2021, Mr Panagakos was charged with manslaughter.
However, several months after being committed to stand trial, the case against him was dropped.
Mr Panagakos has always maintained his innocence.
During the hearing, Mr Panagakos told the court he did not remember much because he was drug-affected on the night of Ms Jovanovic's death.
He was, however, adamant he did not have a gun in his possession.
Delivering his findings on Thursday, Coroner Donald MacKenzie said Mr Panagakos's version of events could "easily be rejected" and ruled he had caused her death.
Coroner MacKenzie said the "most credible account" of the evening came from a signed police statement made by a friend who was there on the night.
"This is [the] most cogent and reliable body of evidence heard in the inquest," he said.
Several people gave evidence during the inquest who Coroner MacKenzie said were "not telling the truth or were obfuscating its discovery".
This included Mr Panagakos's mother, who he labelled as "not a witness of credit".
"One can understand her motive in trying to protect her son," he said.
"However, her attempt initially to suggest that [Ms Jovanovic] herself, brought the handgun … and her placing her son, Christos at the bottom of the staircase at the time of the firearm discharge, was, in my view, reprehensible."
Despite finding Mr Panagakos was responsible for causing Ms Jovanovic's death, Coroner MacKenzie determined it was "essentially an accident".
"In terms of the Criminal Code, his criminal negligence could not be established to warrant a prosecution for involuntary manslaughter," he said.
In closing the inquest, Coroner MacKenzie said it was evident Ms Jovanovic was "a happy, kind and caring person".
"Her death has had a devastating and lasting impact on her family and those close to her," he said.
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